[Ontbirds]Spring Caspian Tern - Port Burwell Harbour
11 April 2008 Hello All, Ron Allensen and I spotted the first spring Caspian Tern in Port Burwell today at 2:30 pm April 11th, 2008, It was overcast and about 15C with light winds. It came into the harbour and landed immediately with a group of Bonaparte's Gulls. The large size, thick orange bill, and black legs confirmed it as a Caspian (photo available). According to the BIrds of Elgin County, this represents a new early spring siting date. Other birds in the harbour at the time included an American Coot and a male Horned Grebe and seven Wood Ducks. Purple Martin and Tree Swallows were also observed in flight overhead. Total species for our day of local birding included 65 species, including six late Pine Siskins, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Mocking Bird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Carolina Wren, Eastern Meadowlark, Canvas Back, and Green-winged Teal. Happy Birding, Joe Stephenson & Ron Allensen Directions, Port Burwell is at the south terminus of Highway 19 on the northern shore of Lake Erie. This is south of Tillsonburg. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds] Hamilton Naturalists Club Birding Report - Friday, April 11th, 2008
On Friday April 11th, 2008, this is the HNC Birding report: Wood Duck Blue-winged Teal Red-throated Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Pied-billed Grebe Red-necked Grebe Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Osprey Northern Harrier Northern Goshawk Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Golden Eagle Peregrine Falcon Sandhill Crane Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Wilson's Snipe Bonaparte's Gull Caspian Tern Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Purple Martin Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Tufted Titmouse Brown Creeper Winter Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Brown Thrasher Bohemian Waxwing Cedar Waxwing Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Towhee Vesper Sparrow Fox Sparrow Lapland Longspur Eastern Meadowlark Rusty Blackbird Its been a busy week here in the HSA despite the diverse weather conditions this week. A number of migrants have filtered into the area bringing us hope of more to come. Let's start with the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch which has been in a changeover this week from early migrants to later raptors yet to appear such as Broad-winged Hawk . This week many Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks, a few Rough-legged Hawks , Northern Goshawk and a Golden Eagle continue to filter through but also seen an increase in the number of Osprey, and Northern Harriers returning. Other birds reported from here include Common Loon, Sandhill Crane, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Phoebe, Purple Martin, an increase in Tree Swallows and Fox Sparrows as regulars at the feeders . Up in the surrounding area known as Saltfleet, a sweep of the flooded fields of the area yielded Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark and Rusty Blackbird. Another hotspot in the HSA is Rattray Marsh at the end of Bexhill Drive in Mississauga where a number of similar migrants plus a few extras add spice to what have been seen in the week. During the course of the week, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Red-throated Loon, Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Great Egret, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Winter Wren, and Pine Warbler have all been reported from this tiny jewel in the midst of an urban jungle. On the Hamilton Harbour this week, Common Loons, Black-crowned night Herons and an increasing number of Caspian Terns have returned. Today, three species of swallows were seen from Canada Centre for Inland Waters including Tree, Barn and Rough-winged Swallows. At Shoreacres/Paletta Park in Burlington this week, Tufted Titmouse continues to be seen on a regular basis. Other migrants include Bonaparte's Gull, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Fox Sparrow. Out on the lake yesterday, a total of 130 Red-necked Grebes and 8 Horned Grebes were seen offshore. Our winter guests seem to have disappeared. There were a few sightings of Bohemian Waxwings this week. A massive flock of Bohemians were viewed on 6th line in Milton last Saturday. A Bohemian Waxwing was seen just upriver of Wilkes Dam on the Grand River on Sunday. Two Bohemians were seen at the Dundas Marsh in the week. A Bohemian Waxwing was seen in Ancaster on Monday and a small flock were seen at Sixth Line & Leighland in Oakville today which is approaching a late date for this species. Any further sightings of this species is well worth noting and reporting! In the odds and sods this week a Pine Warbler was seen and heard at LaSalle Park on Tuesday. Out at the Brantford Airport, a Lapland Longspur, several Eastern Meadowlarks and a singing Vesper Sparrow were highlights. A Sandhill Crane was seen at Hwy 97 and Kirkwall Rd. A Great Egret was seen at Bronte Marsh last Friday and at Fifty Point Conservation Area on Saturday. A Pileated Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warblers and an Eastern Towhee were viewed from the Northshore Trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens. A Wilson's Snipe was seen at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. An Eastern Towhee was photographed in a yard in Grimsby and a Brown Thrasher and Hermit Thrush were new migrants at Sherwood Forest Park in Burlington on Wednesday. That's the news this week. Thanks for your sightings! This weeks warm temperatures will bring more goodies into the area, please keep me advised. Cheryl Edgecombe HNC Hotline 905-381-0329 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds] Claireville CA - Y-R Warblers, Bohemians, Fox Sparrow, etc.
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Late Thursday afternoon some good seasonal migrants, as well as
lingering winter specialties, appeared at Claireville. All the birds
listed below were seen at the Claireville Ranch entrance, on the south
side of Highway 7 (Regional 107), located 2.7 km east of Airport Road.
In the small woodlot just east of the outer gate:
Yellow-rumped Warbler - about 6 total
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Tree Sparrow - several
Junco - several
Flicker
Fox Sparrow (gorgeous - best sighting of the day!)
In the field area and hardwood swamp "Habitat Enhancement Project"
(i.e., mosquito sanctuary) south of the inner gate:
Tree Swallow - 6
Eastern Bluebird - 1 (a pair nested last year in the swallow boxes
in this same area)
Song Sparrow - numerous
Red-winged Blackbird - numerous
Eastern Phoebe
Woodcock
Wood Duck - 4
Along the roadway between the inner gate and the riding stable:
Bohemian Waxwing - 2 (a flock of 20 was present in the same location
earlier in the week)
Mockingbird
Park outside the outer gate - the exit side of the gate is usually
open, but Ranch staff want to discourage visitors from parking at the
inner gate because they may close the exit at night, and are concerned
about trapping vehicles inside. There are also security issues related
to their livestock and buildings, and concerns about access for their
horse trailers if the inner road area has vehicles parked on the
shoulders. Please respect their requests.
John Thompson
Brampton
jthmpson(at)eol.ca
___
ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial
birding organization.
Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org
For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php
ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at
http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds] Harlequin Duck and grebes Oshawa Bonniebrae point Apr 11 6pm
After the Second marsh I stopped at Bonniebrae point for a quick look. Highlights: 1 Harlequin Duck adult male 34 Red-necked Grebes 14 Horned Grebes 3 Common Loons 7 White-winged Scoters a few hundred Long-tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers also present. Tyler Hoar Oshawa ON, Directions to Bonniebrae point. Bonniebrae point in situated on Lake Ontario between Thickson's woods and Oshawa Second Marsh. From the 401 Take either exit 417 Simcoe st (eastbound only) or 418 Ritson road. Take either Ritson rd. or Simcoe St south from the 401. Where Ritson and Simcoe st intersect (firehall on North side of intersection), take Simcoe st south towards the lake. At Oshawa Harbour take a right onto Lakeview Park Ave. Turn left on either Kluane Ave or Birchcliffe ave. Both these streets end at the Bonniebrae point parking lot. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds] Eurasian Wigeon, Little Gull, Great Egret and others at Oshawa Second Marsh apr 11
Oshawa Second Marsh April 11 5-5:30pm Highlights 1 Drake Eurasian Wigeon foraging just north of the GM platform, 1 Little Gull roosting on a muskrat mound. 1 Great Egret 1 Peregrine Falcon 3 Osprey including 2 doing mating displays 8 Bohemian Waxwings 1 American Bittern 17 species of waterfowl (428 individuals) including 49 Green-winged Teal, 28 Ruddy Ducks, 17 American Wigeons and 83 Ring-necked Ducks. Small numbers of Tree Swallows foraging over the marsh Directions Exit from the 401 at the Harmony Rd. Exit(419) in Oshawa. Go south on Farewell St. Colonel Sam Drive. Turn East onto Colonel Sam Drive and follow to the parking lot at the GM Headquarters. Park in the west parking lot close to the marsh. The east (GM) platform is visible from the NW corner of the lot. For a trail map of the Oshawa Second marsh area visit www.secondmarsh.com and check the link for a trail map of the area. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Tundra Swans Durham Region
Hello; Late post but they would have been long gone. Wed.April 9th &7:15 AM DST 2 tundra swans lifted off from Amos`s ponds & flight was N.E over Altona Rd. in Pickering Ont.Amos`s ponds are west of Altona Rd.&Finch Ave. Cheers&Good Birding Mike Williamson ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Birding High Park
This past week around the High Park area has been significant in terms of returning migrants. Just a quick walk around the park can reveal many species that have recently made the trip across the Lake Ontario. Now that Grenadier Pond is free of ice, the park has been acting as a refueling station for many species of waterfowl, wading birds and various landbirds. Species that have been noted in the park include plenty of Golden-crowned Kinglets, Song Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds (2 females only) and Common Grackles; as well as Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2) and a smaller flock of Cedar Waxwings (8). In Grenadier Pond various pairs of Wood Ducks can be found throughout; along with 15 or so Northern Shovelers. A Black-crowned Night Heron was hiding amongst the cattails in the north end of the pond also. In the Lower Duck Pond a Great Egret was found fishing along the shoreline. High Park is bordered on the south by the Queensway and on the north by Bloor. The main entrance can be entered on the westside of the park off of Parkside Ave. Josh Mansell _ Enter today for your chance to win $1000 a day—today until May 12th. Learn more at SignInAndWIN.ca http://g.msn.ca/ca55/215___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Carolina Wren and nesting Merlins in Wasaga Beach
There is a pair of Merlins nesting in a huge old White Pine in the SE playground at Worsley Public School, on 39th Street South in Wasaga Beach. The nest is about 12+m (40’) up the tree on the eastern side. The tree is about 30m (100’) into the playground from the southernmost entrance gate beside the soccer field. It is quite easy to spot, as the pair is very active and vocal. On another note, I still have a Carolina Wren in residence. I believe this is 6 years now it/they have been here year-round. I have seen a female off and on over the years. The male regularly comes to my feeders and can usually be heard singing in the front or side yard, or from across the road throughout the day. I believe this male is 2nd generation here, as his song is a bit “off” from normal and from those who first took up residence (plus, as I mentioned, I’ve had mature birds here for 6 years). I live at #75 – 39th Street North in Wasaga Beach. I have also seen the Merlins flying over my house (2 blocks from the school). For those who don’t know, Wasaga Beach is just off Highway #26 between Collingwood and Stayner, and at the west end of Highway #92, west of Elmvale. Conveniently, Wasaga Beach’s streets are named and ordered numerically from east to west off of Mosley Street (the Town’s main thoroughfare). 39th Streets North and South are pretty much in the middle of the town. Scott A. Martin; B.Sc., H.B.O.R., Forest Rec. Tech. Ecologist / Owner WILD Canada Ecological Consulting #75 - 39th Street North Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2A3 Phn: 705-429-4936 Fax: 705-429-1435 HYPERLINK "mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]"[EMAIL PROTECTED] HYPERLINK "http://www.wildcanada.ca"www.wildcanada.ca Please remember... Unless we change direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed! (ancient Chinese proverb) No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.12/1373 - Release Date: 11/04/2008 9:17 AM ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Sandhill Crane in Midland
On Wednesday April 9th, I was outside cleaning around the house (right in town) and I saw a Sandhill Crane fly over. Just one. Probably heading toward Penetang bay. Adam Zita Midland ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Northern Mockingbird - Kingston
At 10:00a.m. I saw a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at the very southern end of County Road 6 near Hwy. 33. This is just west of Amherstview. It was on the west side of the road across from house # 23. Cheers Bruce Ripley Amherstview 613-384-6392 Take exit 599 (Odessa) from Hwy. 401 and drive south along County Rd. 6 to the very end. ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
[Ontbirds]Kingston area birds to April 11, 2008
The snow is almost gone and today's rain should help to open up those still frozen lakes and ponds. Common Loons are slowly returning; one was seen in Amherstview on Saturday and another on Wolfe Island on Sunday. Nine Double-crested Cormorants flew by Elevator Bay last Saturday and 25 Pied-billed Grebes were in the Cataraqui River on Monday. A KFN field trip to Wolfe on Sunday found an excellent variety of waterfowl including a Snow Goose (there were 1000's of Canadas on the move), 2 Wood Ducks, 2 Green-winged Teal, and 4 N. Pintails. Also of note were 5 N. Shovelers in the Amherstview sewage lagoons last Friday. Raptor sightings have been dominated by returning Osprey; a pair at RMC on the 2nd, 2 on Wolfe and another at the Lennox generating station on the 5th, 1 at Bedford Mills on the 6th and another on the Queen's campus on the 7th. There was a Red-shouldered Hawk at Bedford Mills on Sunday and a Sharp-shinned Hawk picked off one of the 100's of male Red-winged Blackbirds at a Camden East feeder last Friday. A raptor survey on Wolfe last Saturday tallied 10 Turkey Vultures, 9 Red-tailed Hawks, 6 Am. Kestrels, and a high count for the year; 74 Rough-legged hawks. There were no Snowy Owls and only one N. Harrier. A Barred Owl was calling on the Opinicon Rd. last Saturday and a pair of Turkey Vultures have taken to roosting in a back yard just off Montreal St. north of the 401. In the small bird department we've added about ten new species this week but the numbers are not yet impressive: a Wilson's Snipe on the 7th and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on the 9th at Elginburg, a Brown Creeper on Wolfe on the 6th, lots of Tree Swallows; 20 at the lagoons on the 4th, 2 at Collin's Creek and 5 on Wolfe on the 6th, an Eastern Phoebe at Hay Bay on the 5th, 2 Winter Wrens, 1 on College St. on the 8th and a second at Parrott's Bay on the 10th, a Rusty Blackbird at Elginburg on the 4th and 3 more at Camden East yesterday, 2 Hermit Thrushes at Little Cat on the 10th, and a good selection of sparrows: Fox at Bedford Mills, Parrott's Bay and Little Cat, 2 Savannah on Wolfe and a Vesper at Odessa, all seen in the latter part of the week. Unusual sightings included the Great Egret along the Napanee River on Wednesday, a Sandhill Crane at Elginburg on Thursday, and a N. Mockingbird at Lemoine Pt. on the 3rd. Winter birds are moving on but small numbers of Common Redpolls and Am. Tree Sparrows are still about. Cheers, Peter Good Kingston Field Naturalists 613 378-6605 ___ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
